How do I politely tell my mother-in-law to stop doing my laundry

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Could somebody explain meaning of word and phrase which is underlined:

Meddling Mother-In-Law
WIFE READY TO WASH HER HANDS OF MEDDLING MOTHER-IN-LAW
DEAR ABBY:
How do I politely tell my mother-in-law to stop doing my laundry? It all started when I was on bed rest due
to my pregnancy. I didn’t mind her doing an occasional load to help us out. But now she does it anytime she’s
over to watch the kids.
I’m very picky about how I do my laundry, and this is the main reason I don’t want her doing it. Also, I’d prefer
she spend time playing with the kids than with the laundry!
She also puts things away in the wrong places. She does it with my dishes, too. Once I told her not to worry
about my laundry because I wasn’t done sorting it. She took it upon herself to do it anyway.
She’s very strong-willed. My husband and I have had problems with her not respecting our parenting, too.
She often takes things the wrong way. What’s the best way for us to tell her that her help is not needed?
– DIRTY FAMILY LAUNDRY
Meddling Mother-In-Law

Thanks!!!

2

Meddling [color=red][interfering - getting in the way] Mother-In-Law
WIFE READY TO WASH HER HANDS OF MEDDLING MOTHER-IN-LAW [color=red][Wife wants to get rid of / forget about her interfering mother-in-law]
DEAR ABBY:
How do I politely tell my mother-in-law to stop doing my laundry? It all started when I was on bed rest [color=red][had to stay in bed] due
to my pregnancy. I didn’t mind her doing an occasional load to help us out. But now she does it anytime she’s
over [color=red][she’s at our house] to watch the kids.
I’m very picky about how I do my laundry, and this is the main reason I don’t want her doing it. Also, I’d prefer
she spend time playing with the kids than with the laundry!
She also puts things away in the wrong places. She does it with my dishes, too. Once I told her not to worry
about my laundry because I wasn’t done sorting [color=red][putting it in order (whites together, colours together] it. She took it upon herself[color=red] [decided] to do it anyway.
She’s very strong-willed [color=red][she does what she wants]. My husband and I have had problems with her not respecting our parenting, too.
She often takes things the wrong way [color=red][gets offended / upset]. What’s the best way for us to tell her that her help is not needed?
– DIRTY FAMILY LAUNDRY
Meddling Mother-In-Law

3

Thanks!!!